 NASA satellite imagery of the storm system impacting the Southern Plains on October 27 | |
| Type | Extratropical cyclone Winter storm Ice storm |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 26, 2020 |
| Dissipated | October 29, 2020 |
| Lowest pressure | 1004 mb (29.65 inHg) |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | Snow – 6 in (15 cm) at Denver, Colorado[1] Ice – 2 in (5.1 cm) at El Reno, Oklahoma |
| Fatalities | 2 fatalities[1][3] |
| Damage | ≥ $125 million (2020 USD)[2] |
| Power outages | > 400,000[1] |
| Areas affected | Rocky Mountains, Southern Plains |
Part of the 2020–21 North American winter | |
The October 2020 United States ice storm was a crippling ice storm that impacted the Southern Plains with snow and heavy freezing rain from October 26–28, 2020. It was the worst ice storm for Oklahoma and surrounding areas in several decades. The system started off as a snowstorm in the Rocky Mountains, where up to 6 in (15 cm) of snow fell. It then moved south into the Southern Plains on October 27, bringing heavy freezing rain to the area for over a day. Winter Storm Warnings were placed into effect for parts of the area, with Ice Storm Warnings in the Oklahoma City metro area. Over 400,000 customers lost power during the storm, and 100,000 were still without power a week after the storm. Several thousand power outages were not restored for over two weeks. The storm also resulted in two fatalities, with one in Kansas and one in Texas.[1][3] In total, the system is estimated to have caused at least $125 million (2020 USD) in damages.[2]
- ^ a b c d "Hundreds of Thousands Still In The Dark After Icy Winter Storm Slams Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle". The Weather Channel. October 27, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Global Catastrophe Recap – October 2020" (PDF). Aon Benfield. November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Weiss, Josh. "Event Review – Southern Plains Ice Storm (10/26 - 10/28)" (PDF). Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved May 13, 2021.